tiefel



L. M. TODD AND C. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 19:5. 1 53,618. Pfltelltedsepf- 21, 1920.

1497- 133, L M J LLBANI/S' M. Top CHARLES G. TIEFEL THEIR A4 TIN/(NE I".

L. M. TODD AND C. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITER.

1,353,618- APPUCAHON FILES APR. 23. l9|5. 21,

Lmmvus M. Tam: CHARLES G. TIEFEL H I! A 'lzlSlS'blS THEIR .4 TTOANE Y.

L. M. TODD AND C. G. TIEF EL. cmzcx WRH'ER.

APPLICATION FILEDAPR.23, 1915. 1,353,618, Patentedsept. 21, 1920.

lSHEETS-SHEET 3.

| I l l I LIBANl/ M. Tozm (mums G. DEFEL MITNESSES: INVEN TORS- TIMI}? A TTORNE V.

L. M. T000 AND C. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23. I915.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

ISHEElS-SHEU 4 L. M. TODD AND C. G. TIEFEL- CHECK WHITEH- APPLICATION HLED mnzs. I915.

1 ,353,61 8 Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

Lzmlvv' M. T000 CHARLES G. TIBFEL 1m 2w TORJ.

THEIR A T TORNE Y.

L. M. TODD AND C. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION mm mm. 23. I915.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

ISHEET--SHEET I.

Lrmmsr M. T0100 Cmmm TmFEL IN V N TOR-S B my.

WITNESSES TIEIR A TTORNE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LIBANUS M. TODD AND CHARLES G. TIEFEL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSiGITIR BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS. '10 TODD PROTECTOGRAPH COMPANY, OF ROCHE-ET NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

annex-warren.

Specification of Letters Patent. i Patented Sept. 21, 1920.,

Application filed April 23, 1915. Serial m. 23,322.

To all whom if may concern Be it known that we, IABANUS M. Tom) and (IIAnLi-xs (l. TIEFIZL, citizens of the United States. and residents of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvemcnls in (heck-"riters; and we do h'erchy declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the same. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which the invention nppertnins to make and to use the same.

The present invention relates to machines for printing on commer ial paper. such as checks. drafts. and similar instruments. an nssigneil monetary value. in such an indelihlc manner as to insure protection against the alteration. or raising" of the amount intended to be conveyed by the instrument. This invention provides a machine constructed tor the purpose of writing on commercial paper. hy a protective method, any exact amount in dollars and cents which the instrument is intended to convey, as well as, of course. any assigned limiting value which it may he desired to add for the protection of a simple inscription.

One object of the invention is the pro vision of a. simple and convenient machine of this type having a large number of type forms. available for printing a wide range of values. for the purpose of increasing the utility of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine capable of printing a wide range of values. and at the same time compact in arrangement and of convenient size.

Other objects a re to provide a new means for centering and locking the type forms in printing position. a new platen operating device. and other features and advantages which are described in the following spech fication. reference being had by letters and numerals. to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 'l is a top plan view of a check writing machine embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine taken from the work receiving side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view, the bottom of the casing being removed to show interior parts. A

.larged.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, partly broken away, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, partly brok n away.

Fig. 6 is a transverse verticalsection on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the platen actuating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is it detailed View in horizontal section of a modified construction thcrcoi.

Fig. 8 is in part an end elevation nn-l in part a transverse vertical section on the i1) 8-8 of Fig. 5, showing the mean: for nutriating the pressenfoot.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section on theline. 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a plan of the type cylinder. showing the arrangement of the type forms thereon.

F lg. 11 is a diagrammatic view, showing the principle of cooperation of the type cyt inder and platen.

Fig. 12 shows one of the type forms en- Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the platen.

Fig. L1 is an enlarged view showing the embossing of the aper alon a printed line.

Fig. 15 is an 9 go. view 0 the same.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary top plan view enlarged, showing the means for raising the presser foot.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary View enlarged,

showing the connection between theplaten yoke and the rock shaft for operating it.

The same reference nume' 15 are used throughout to designate simila parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a machine havin a. relatively shiftable type carrier and p aten, the type carrier having also a printing movement and having thereon a plurality of type forms arranged in lateral and longitudinal r ws. By shifting the type carrier relatively to the platen, any lateral row. of type 'forms mav be brought into position to cooperate with the platen during the printing movement of the carrier. contact with the carrier, selectively, in timed relation to the rotation of the latter, to select, for printing, impression, any desired type formin the lateral row thus presented.

has the type forms may be brought/se- The platen 1s moved into lectiveiy and individually into contact with the platen to produce a printing impression of any desired type form. To accomplish theee results there provided a main suporting frame of skeleton form, shown in digs. I to 9. having ends 20 and 21 nonnerted by a bottom rross rail and by side cross rails 23 and The frame is provided at each of its, lower corners with a leg :25, (Fig. 6) having a recess 26 therein, with whit-h engages a spring member 27 at tarhed to a bottom late 28 for holding the latter in position. ttarhed to the frame by means of srrews 2% is a casing 30 inclosing the nierhaniexn of the machine.

A quail dist-alive above the bottom cross rail 2; here provided a pair of horizontal guard platen 32 and 33 plared close together and supported in position in the frame by our srrrwa ill at the rorners of the latter. These plates 32 and 33 are provided for the purpose of guiding the paper to be printed upon in its; passage through the machine. 'iiie lower guard plate 33 has a T st opening PH therein through one branrh Whirl; is adapted to be projerte-d a platrn wheel 35 having a serrated surface 36 and ournaled npon a spindle 37 mounted in a Folio 38. This platen wheel is adapted in press in rolling contort against the type forms of a printing eylindrr hereinafter de- Hrribml The yoio- Chi is lfll'l'liii by an arm pro jerting from a sleeve In which is adapted to turn on a bushing l? lixnd by a pin 46 lo a -huil i l. rd l itfe. i, i and 17.) The lailr-r aha'l't in adapted to roi-lc in bearinga l-i and ii in a frame member 421 formed in the lions rail 32. and in a earing 44 in an urn; lo whirh prop-eta imli/amtilll)" from the said Pro ra l The bushing 4T hae an arm i (Fig. [Ti liwii thereto and pro iirrt ing individually therefrom \l'llii'll varrivs a pin in and ban a downwariiiy projecting outer end it", i\ epriilg l? ronuertvd at one end to thipin ii and at its other end to a s. ilar pin i l in a lug 52" depending from one brain-h of the yoke :m. The log 52:" hm lix'vd tlu'irlo a pin nhivh projects into an elongated opening in the downwardly proiw'iiug ou'lrr rod in of the arm :lb of the us 1' 5 ii for serving together niiii pring H as an urinating ronnertion lnln'irn the arm in lixwl lo the ['(it'k shall. and llnoin: i warming the platen. The brawl: 5; i1- wl mndml into position to ('oniavi u Elli tiw- :Igiinrl' rnd of a arrow 53, ad justabi supported in a lug Til ol' the l'ranw na-mbvr iii. ihr arrow 5?, in adapted to limit the downward ni vrna-nt of the platenirarrjving ff'lii i" 3* a the lattrr oscillates with al't iii. eration of the park; k in lilo rocked by mean hurninaiivr deeerihrd the arm 48 fixed thereto is oer-illated, and, by means of its eonnei'tions with the yoke -3 osrillates the latter to projert the platen wheel through and to withdraw it from the opening 34 in the lower guard plate 3?. Thev spring 50 tends to normally hold the pin 55 in the upper part of the elongated opening 56 of the arm 48 so that the platen is actuated normally upward by means of the tension of the spring so. Should the platen in its upward movement be fOl't'Pil too strongly against a type form or other unyielding material, the resilient-y ot' the spring 50 will allow pin to move arroes the opening 56 and the platen to yield and so prevent undue strain upon any part of the machine.

It is desirable to provide for a slight adjustment of the platen in the dirertion of its axis, and for this purpose the shaft 4-H is permitted to have endwiee motion in its bearings and an adjusting means is pro vided in the spindle 55 (Fig. 3) whirh has at one end a flange engaging in a l'l-- eves in the sleeve 3$L and at the other end a threaded portion adjustable in the frame member 43, so that the shaft 4H and parts carried thereby int-hiding the platen may be adjusted by turning the spindle 5.3 and lot-king it in adjusted position by nwanrs of the locking out an.

The ['()('l( shaft i has fixed thereto at its outer end a lever 57 (see Fig. (3) whirh extends both above and below the shall. The lower end of the lever 57 has attached their to one end of a spring on, theother end of whirh is attarhed to apin 5!) on the frame l'or holding the platen normally in a lowered or rvtrarted position. 'lhe upper end oi the lever 57 carries a pin (ill on whirh journaled a roller (ll. This roller serves an a follower for moving over the outlines of two rams, (31. and (i i fixed on a sleeve i'ni (see also Figs. 4' and 5.} The rams are held a suitable dietanre apait by inraue of a span ing member (H. which in too low to mutant with the follower. The sleeve (is in slidnldi longitudinally on a shaft no. but in lixed to rotate with the said shaft by means of a key sliding in the lteyway ill. The sleeve (3.3 has a groove (35 engag d by a small roller 7 rotatably mounted on a pin on in the end of one branrh of a hell-(rank (it). The bellorank 0'9 is pivoted at on the main frame, and its other branch has pivoted thereto at 71 a link T2 whirh is pivoted at its other end 73 to an arm 74 fixed on a H'it'k eha'ft 75 mounted above in the main frame. A mono ber 76 is pivoted to the frame at T7 and carries at its 01 her end a pin Th adapted to engage in a series of rereaera T9 no and 81. in the lower end of th 2 arm 74. The pin 78 is urged into engagement with those recesses by a spring attarhed at one end to a pin 2 on the member 76. and at its other end to a. pin 84 on the frame. The purpose of the pin 78 and the enacting recesses is to form a centering, device for the arm Tl to mark its various positions.

It will be apparent from the above explanation that, as the shaft 75' is given-a rocking movement the arm 74, by means of the link 72 oscillates the bell-crank 69 and so shifts the cam sleeve 65 to bring either of the cams, or the spacing member 64 under the follower 61. When the spacing member 64- is thus brought under the follower 61, the platen actuating mechanism is in a neutral position and rotation of shaft 66 pro duces no actuation of the platen, so that the type cylinder may be freely revolved for inking or cleaning the type. Referring to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the cams 6:2 and 615 are provided with respective high portions 62* and 63 extending over a small part of thecircumference of each cam. and these cams are arranged relatively to each other at an angle of about 90 degrees. \Vhen either cam is opposite the follower 61, each rotation of the shaft 66 will produce an oscillation of the lever 57 as the high portion of the cam passes the-follower, and thus raise the platen connected therewith, in timed relation with respect to the rotation of the shaft 66. It will be noted that each of the cams will thus produce an upward actuation of the platen in differenttimed relation with respect to each rotation of the shaft 66.-

While the mechanism described above for timing the actuation of the platen is the form of construction now preferred by us.

.we have conceived of other means for producing the same result. one of which. shown in Fig. 7, will now be described. In this form instead of shifting the cams 62 and 63 by means of a sleeve sliding longitudh nally of the shaft. these cams are mounted on a sleeve 190 which is fixed to the shaft .66 by means of a pin 190". The cams are held in spaced relation as before by means of the spacing member 64. The shaft 40 'carrles a lever 191 similar to the lever 57 of the preferred form. except that the upper end of the lever 191 is formed into an elongated yoke 192 in the branches of which, and parallel to the shaft 66. is mounted a dpindle 193. Slidably journaled on this spindle is a sleeve 194 having at one end a roller cain follower 195 and at its other end agroove or circular recess 196 engaged by a small roller 19? journaled on the-end of one arm of a bell-crank lever 198. This I. w] H18 corresponds with the bell-crank iwsr on of the preferred form, having; its o her air-.1 pivotally connected to the link 72.

'l' c uctuz'ition of the bell-crank lever 198' platen.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 17. it may be seen that by adjusting the screw 53 the amount of retraction of the platen may be controlled at will and the usual adjustment allows thetop of the platen to fall even with the lower guard plate 33, so that the platen will not obstruct the insertion of a sheet of paper. The same adjustment controls the movement of the follower toward the shaft 66, and normally positions the follower so that itwill not touch the spacing member 64 or the low portions of the cams, but only the high portions of the latter. This allows the follower and came to be freely shifted rela tively to each other While the platen is inactive.

\Vhen the platen is moved upwardly to produce a printing impression the top of the wheel projects through the lower guard plate and a slight distance through a slot 85 in the upper guard plate 32 and so carries the paper placed between the plates into contact with the printing cylinder 87. The slot 85 is a trifle wider than the platen wheel so that the paper is not cut by any contact between these members. but the platen bends or draws the paper slightly into the slot and so raises or embosses in the paper a'narrow field upon which is the printed line. This will be made clear by an inspection of Figs 14 and 15. One object attained by the embossing of this strip is to hold the inked portion of the paper out of contact with the surface upon which itrests, to prevent smearing of the ink while wet.

The typerylinder 87 is mounted upon the shaft 66 journaled at its ends in the ends 20 andfll of the main frame. The cylinder has elongated bearings 88 and 89 at its ends upon the shaft 66 to adapt it for sliding longitudinally thereof, but a feather 90 nojecting from the cylinder moves in a lreyway 91 of the shaft to insure the rotation of the cylinder with the shaft.

Referring to Fig. 10 it will be seen that the cylinder 87 has upon its surface a plu 'rality of individual type forms '200. each extending circumferentially of the cylinder. The type forms are arranged in two columns extcndingparallel with the axis of the cylinder and placed side by side in spaced relation. The type forms are of varying lengths and are arranged so that the ends of the words in each column are in alinement in the direction of the axis of the cylinder, as shown at 201, and the forms are placed opposite each other in their re spectivecolumns so as to be in alinement transversely of the axis of the cylinder. This arrangement brings. the type forms into rows circumferentially of'the cylinder as well as in the direction of its axis, and the forms are spaced from one another for individual cooperation uith the platen. The purpose of this relative arrangement of the forms will appear as the description proceeds.

A yoke 9:3 is also arranged to slide longitudinally of the shaft illi having ends llil and 94 journaled upon the shaft for this purpose. This yoke embraces the rylinder RT and its i ads are in eontaet with the ends of the cylinder for the purpose of shifting the eylinder longitudirnilly of the shaft. The end ill of the yoke like the end 88 of the cylinder. has an elongated bearing upon the shaft till so that it will slide smoothly over the flanges or eirenmferential shoutders 9:) upon the said shaft. These shoulders 95 are spaced longitudinally of the shaft to form between them a series of rireninferential grooves lit). 'lhese grooves t'i are all of equal width and are spaced longitudinally of the shaft. (36 to rot-respond with the longitudinal spacing of the type forms upon the cylinder HT. there heing one groove lit; for eaeh of the type forms.

The yoke 92 is held against rotation about the shaft 66 by means later to he desel'ihed. and rarries fixed thereto a small plate th which projects from the hearing in the end ill of the yoke toward the shaft on. The inner end of this plate UH i of surh thi kness as to tit rlosely within the grooves till upon the shaft and extends into proximity with the shaft at the hottorn of the grooves. Eaeh of the shoulders 95 extends only part of the way around the shaft (ill. as will he seen in Fig. 9. leaving a slideway 97 for the plate 95 in which the plate ran move freely to allow the yoke to slide longitudinally of the shaft. The foruard end .lll of eaeh shoulder 9 \vhirh is in ad vanee as the shaft (ill is rotated in the direetion shown hy the arrow in Fig. and the side of the plate UH with \vhieh the end t l first engages are heveled so that the plate will readily pass from the slideway 97 into any one of the grooves .lll as the shaft till is rotated.

it is thus apparent that as the yoke and the ryliuder emhraeed hy it are shifted longitudinally and lmulght' to a new position on the shaft 66 the plate 9H will come to rest opposite one of the grooves Elli. Then as the shaft is rotated the shoulders 5);) ad joining this groove will eniln'aee the plate Uh and thus lork the yoke and rylinder against inovenn-nt longitudinally of the shaft. The heveled ends on the shoulders and on the plate serve to renter the ryliuder with the seleeted type form aeeurately positioned opposite the platen 35.

The means for shifting the yoke 92 vomprises a plate h ll (see Figs. 5 and 9) \vhieh is journaled on the end Ell of the yoke ahout its hearing on the shaft till. so that the plate 100 maybe oscillated in a plane at right angles to the shaft. This plate is securely lltl journaled on a pin 11? fixed in the ll't and this roller moves in a longitudina slot held to the yoke by means of a pin ll ll lixed to the yoke and exteni'ling through an elongated slot 102 in the plate. and also by a bar 103 which is attached at its ends to an extension 9i of the end 94 of the yoke Sir; hut is spaced therefrom to emhraee the up per end of the plate 100 and hold it in cor ta at with the end of the yoke as the plate 2s oseillated in a transverse plane. The plate has a. slot lliil surrounding shaft 75 to allow the transverse motion of the plate relatively to the shaft. The upper end of the plate extends through a slot lot in the top of the easing Ill) and is bent at right angles in a. horizontal direetion. as shown at hi5. ti. l o ride for the attaelnnent of an operhandle 106. By grasping this handle llu operator ran shift the yoke and eylinder longitudinally on the shaft tit: to any desired position.

Referring to Figs. 5 and H. the yoke has projecting upwardly therefrom a lo: Illa positioned near and parallel with 1 extension 94 of the end ill of the yo This lug carries at its upper end a 11:) in the frame attached to the rai ing l ahove and parallel with slot l l. "the roller fits rh'isely within this slot 11.) and serves to prevent any rotational movement of the yoke 9Q about the shaft (ill. The log llti and the extension 9 9 of the yoke surmuud the shaft T5. \\'lll('ll extends lllHHt the voidparallel with the shaft till. lllouuted on this shaft T5 is a collar l eniln'aeed lieiW-seil the lug llh and the extension i". and -lid alilo along the shaft 75 as the yoke is hi tie-l along the shaft (ill. The eollar hmvever. *ar

ries a feather lilo \Ylllt'll projerts int: a iaev way l lll extending longitudinally ol' the shaft The eollar is thus held against I'mtation relatively to the shaft If: and any us eillating movement imparted to llh rollar will therefore he transmitted to the shaft T5. The eollar earries on its upper id two spared lugs ll l whirh engage either side of a small roller lll journaled on the plate too. By this means any osriilaling move ment given to the plate l lll liy means of the operating handle llll'i is transmitted to the eollar llIT. resultilig in the roeliiug motion of the shaft This rocking llllll'tllltlll is for the purpose of shifting the rain drew l'if) hy means of ronnerting lll( 'lllllll lll whirh has already heen deserilwd.

The upper horizontally extending end Hi5 of the plate 100 carries at either side upwardly extending spared hranrhes llil and 114. Ahove the opening llll is a dial plate 112 having arranged thereon in two columns. as shown in Fig. 1. a plurality of ehararters eaeh of whieh represents rharaet r horne hy a Corresponding type form, The branches or index fingers 113 and 14 ex- IUU tend upwardly and inwardly toward the dial, having pointed ends adapted to be brought into register with the lines of charactors upon the dial late. As the handle 106 on the plate lOQ-is oscillated transversely, one or the other of the index fingers 113 and 114 is brought into proximity with the dial to register with" the characters in the corresponding column thereon, while the other finger is moved away from the dial. The two characters opposite each other in the columns on the dial are placed on the same line transversely of the dial so that the handle 106 may be moved longitudinallyof the dial to bring both index fingers opposite a selected character, and may then be oscillated transversely tobring one of the fingers into register with a selected character in one or other of the columns.

It will be understood from the above description that the movement of the handle 106 longitudinally of the dial to bring the index fingers opposite the line occupied by the character desired to be printed, and the transverse movement of the handle to bring one of the index fingers into register with the selected character in its corresponding column will serve first to shift the printing cylinder longitudinall on the shaft to hring the line of the seliected type form into e06 rative position relatively to the platen, an then to shift the cam sleeve to bring the proper cam into position for actuating the platen into selectively timed contact with the individual type form desired to be printed during each rotatioii of the printing cylinder.v

The main frame is rovided with a bearing 119 (see Fi 8) in which is journaled a short shaft 12% extending at one end outside of the casing 30 and having fixed at this end a crank arm 121 carrying an operating handle 122. The inner end of the shaft 120 has pinned thereon a spiral gear 123 which meshes with a corres nding gear 124 fixed upon one end of the sliiift 66. The rotation of the crank 121 thus rotates the shaft 66 and the type cylinder carried there by to bring the desire type form into contact with the platen for making the printing impression. A means is provided for securing shaft 120 against movement in the direction of its axis in the plate 125 adjustably attached to the frame by means of a screw and entering a circumferential recess 126 in the shaft 120.

A similar means is provided for securing the shaft 66 in the plate 127 coacting with the groove 128 at the righthand cndof this shaft, as shown in Fig. 4. By means of these parts the gears 123 and 124 may be properly positioned relative to each other.

The inking of the type forms is accomplished by means of two inking rolls 129 and 130, extending parallel with the type cylinder and in. rolling contact therewith on either side. The roll 129 is removably journaled at its ends in open slots 131 upon the inner side of plates 132 which are pivoted at 133 on a lug of the type cylinder yoke. The roll is type cylinder by means of springs 134 which are attached at one end-to the plates 132 and at the other end to pins fixed on the yoke. The plates 132 may be swung away from the cy inder to allow the removal of the roll 129. "T he roll 130 is removably journaled at its ends in open vertical slots 135 in plates 136 pivoted at 137 on lugs on the yoke. Journaled in the same slots 135, and resting upon the inking roll 130 is an ink supplying roll 138. This roll 138 is held in the slot 135 and in contact with the roll 130 by plate 139 pivoted at 140 on the plate 136. The plate 139 has a forwardly extend ing upper end engaging over the trunnions of the roll 138 for holding it in the described position, and the other end of the plate 139 has a rearwardly extending stop lug 141 adapted to engage a shoulder on the plate 136. A spring 141 is attached at one end to the yoke and at the other end to the plate 139 for pressing the upper end of this plate against the trunnions of the roll 136, and at the same time for swinging plate 136 to such position as to hold the inking roll 130 in contact with the cylinder. Both rolls 129 and 130 are longer than the printing surface of the cylinder and their ends extend over the peripheries of disks 87 on the ends of the cylinder.

The peripheral surface of these disks is a little below the surface of the type forms held in contact with the ing rolls as they are rotated past the latter but the inking rolls will be retained in their approximate inking position by contact with the disks 87 when the cylinder is rotated to bring a portion of its surface not occupied by type forms opposite the inking rolls.

The casing 30 provided with a small .ioor 142 opposite the supply roll 13H affording access to the interior of the casing. This. door is particularly useful when it is desired to reink the supply roll.

For guiding the paper during its passage through the machine and for preventing any inadvertent movement thereof. there is provided a presser foot 143 bearing resiliently upon a roller 144, as shown in Fig. 9. The paper passes between these members which hold it on the lower guard plate and offer a frictional resistance to its motion. The member 143 is a plate journaled at 145 to :1 lug 146 on the cross rail 23and this plate is normally held pressed against the roller 144- by means of a spring 147 bearing upon the upper side of said plate and a ainst the cross rail 23. The plate 143 is a apted to be raised out of eontact' with the roller 14- for the purpose of the insertion of the paper by manual means now to be deseribed.

rojerting through an opening in the end of the easing 31) is a finger pieee 158 attat'hed to the end of the lever 15%) whirh is fixed to a shaft mo journaled in the end 2| oi the l'rame and in a lug extending from the eross rail 23. The easing is provided with an opening of suiiicient size to allow of a small vertical movement of the finger pieee 15 whieh produees a roeking movement of the shaft use. The shaft 160 is provided opposite the presser foot 143 with a. spur ltil engaging loosely in an opening in the leaf 16! extending upwardly from the press-er font. By pressing downwardl on the finger pieee 158 the shaft 160 is rot-lied and the presser foot is lifted out. of eoutaet with the roller 144 by means of the eouueetions deseribed.

A. means is provided for retaining the presser foot in raised position eomprising an arm 163 (see Figs. 8 and 1(5) fixed to the shaft 160 and having pivoted to its outer end a member 1134 which is pivoted also at 165 to a link 166 pivoted in turn to the frame at 167. livotally mounted at 165 on the member 16 l; is a plate 168 having arms extending upwardly and downwardly from its pivot. The upper arm N38 is adapted to engage with the frame beneath the bearing H9 and is urged into snob engaged relation by means of a spring 16*.) attarhed at one end to the plate 168 and at its other end to the member 164.

It will be seen that as the. finger pieee 15 4 is depressed the member N33 is lowered. The spring 169 pulls the arm 168 into engagement beneath the frame so that the tinger pieee 158 is retained in its lower position and the presser foot is held out of eontaet with the roller. In this position the ('heek or other paper may be inserted between the presser foot and roller into printing position. and an automatie means is prw vided to insure the release of the presser t'oot at the mnnmem-enu-nt oi' the printing operation romprising a ram lTi fixed to the shaft on in position to eoiiperate with the lower arm Hi8" oi the member 168.

The rain lit has a flat portion wbivh eomes into eoniart with the arm Hit-t when the rvlinder is rotated to inoperative posilion for the insertion oi the eheek. This position permits the operation of the means for retaining the presser l'oot raised. as explained above. but when the shaft (N3 is rir tated to produce a printing impression the high portion of the rain 1TH turns into engagenu-ut with the arm 168" at a time just previous to the movement of the type into ('UHiIH'i with the. paper and serves to oseillate the memb r 165 about its pivot Hi5. moving the aim 165 outof eontai'l with the frame and so allowing the presser foot to deseend and engage the paper. This meehanism requires but one actuation for earh printing operation. That is, the memb r 1435' is pressed down 'ardly when the. paper is first inserted in the inaehine and the presser foot is then automatieally thrown into operation by the. c-omiueneement of the printing operation. The presser foot is not again adjusted until the desired printing has been :u-eomplished. when the presser foot may be raised by means of the finger piece to withdraw the'eheek. The presser foot is then left in this position ready for the insertion of a new eheck.

The roller 141 (see Figs. 3 and 9) is ro tatably journaled at its ends in a member 17] supported upon the fame member 4:3 oi the (-ross rail 22. The member 171 is attached to the frame 43 at earh end by means of screws 17') and 173 which have a close lit. in member 17]. The serew 1T3 is a elose til in the opening provided for it in the frame 43, but the srrew 1T2 passes through a. slot in the member i i so that; the member 1711 carrying the roller may be tnrned a slight distanee about. the srrew 1??) as a pivot. For aeeomplishing this adjustment there is provided a bar iT-i pivoted on the srrew 173 and snugly engaging the. screw 172, and this bar earries at its end near the latter screw a projerting lug 175. This lug extends into a rei'ess in the head of a screw 176. so that. by turning the arrow T6 the bar 1T4 is turned a slight distance about the sen-w ['53. and by means of the eonneeting serew 172 turn with it the memiier 171, thus adjusting the direction of the axis of the roller lH.

ieterring to Figs. :3 and (5., the paper to be printed upon is inserted in the mat-bins through a h ng slot lTil in the lasing 30 at. the. rigbthand side of the marhine, as seen in Fig. ii. and passes out oi the easing on the ()Pllthiit. side through a slot 179". At.- taehed to the easing and extending over the slot. 1TH opposite the. printing point a gage plate 202 having therein a sight opening 2H3 for properly positioning a week on a sliding table 1H4) IH'lHiih-(l in lront oi'the teed opening 17!? for supporting and guiding the paper in its passage through the mai'hine. The table is provhh-d with braekets sliding upon rods 1H2 supported by the frame of the HliH'llllll. and rarries a guide 181 extending vertii'ally at one side of the table which serves as a means for guiding the paper. There is also provided a gage bar 182., siid' abl v attai-h d to the under side of the table b means of a pin [H5 projei'ting from the table through a slot in the bar W3 and also through a keeper plate 1%. The bar W3 is provided at its end with an upwardly extending thingi- 1H4 and may be slidably PXIViIili'tl toward and from the tai-ie and also turned parallel with the table to place it out of the way when not in use, in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The gage bar is adjusted for any given size of check so that; when the check is placed upon the table, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, with one end a ai'nst the flange 184, .he inner side of the c lock is in proper position between the type cylinder and platen for beginning the impression of a printed' line. H I

As already pointed out the platen wheel is provided with a series of circumferential ridges and depressions upon its surface, as

, longitudinally of the type -cylinder that illustrated in detail in Fig. 13, and the type forms have their surfaces provided with corresponding ridges and depressions as illustrated in Fig. 12. The platen isso adjusted whenever a type form is locked in position i to register with the platen each projecting ridge of the latter cooperates with a groove or depression in the surface of the type form. This construction of the surfaces of the type forms and platen serves to disrupt the fibers of the paper passing therebetween simultaneously with the making of the printing impression so that the ink is pressed into the disrupted fiber and impregnates the paper beneath its'sizing, and thus incorporates the characters into the body of the pa er itself.

The ro ling contact of the type form:

with the platen feeds the paper forward automatically during the printing impres sion, and also provides an additional feeding movement at the. end of each word for producing a space between this word and the succeeding one. This latter effect will be understood by referring to Fig. 11, wherein is shown a-diagram illustrating the theory of coiiperation of the serrations of the printing couple. The lines AA and BB represent the surfaces of contact which he printing couple and platen would have respcctively if their peripheries were smooth.

surfaces. These surfaces are in contact at but one point, which is on the line of centers DD.- The lines 1m and b?) represent the outlines of the projecting ridges, and the line (C represents the path of movement of the pa per. As the paper is fed forward it is engaged by the projecting ridges on the serrated surfaces of the printing couple at a point on the line FF, these members turning in the direction indicated by the arrows. The printing imprepsion is produced approximatelyat the'line DD, but any given part of the paper which is impressed-at DD continues to be fed forward to a point represented by the line EE by the cotiperative frictional action of the ridges and grooves on the printing couple. Thus as any type The succeeding wordwill begin at F F as the new type form first comes into contact with the paper at this point. This leaves a space between the words corresponding to the distance from the line EE to the line FF.

The extent of this space between the words is dependent not only upon the design of the serrations of the printing couple but also upon the time at which tlie platen moves out of contact with the, printing cylinder corresponding to the time'at which the follower rolls off the hi h portion of the actuating cam (32 or 63. if the cam be advanced slightly the platen will more out of contact with the printing cylindcr- 'before the end of the printing impression has moved the whole distance from 8 ever, another factor controlling this effect which 1s the resisting drag upon the paper of the sprin )resser foot. As the feeding actuation o t e paper by the type form ceases, theinertia of the paper tends to prolong its motion,andthe presser foot overcomes this motion of the paper by its frictional resistance in cooperation with the roller 144. The spacing distance may also be varied, therefore, by changing the prcssure of'thc prcsser foot so that by these vari- I05 ous means the spacing distarice between words may be fully controlled.

On reference to the dial it will be noticed that-the words Dollars and Cents, and

the line of stars or asterisks, are written'in a 1'10 single column at the bottom of the dial with index lines on both sides to indicate that each of these-characters occurs in both columns on the type cylinder on-the same cit-- cumferential line, so'that when the index fingers are brought opposite one of these characters on the dial the handle .106 may be shifted either tothe right or to the left to print the given character.

The age bar having been adjusted for the lengt of check to be used, to bring the point on the check at which it is desired to start the impression in position between the Fig. 1-, with its top resting against the flange he operation of the machine will now lau be understood from a brief description.

iii)

1rd and its righthand end against the flange 1st. The table is slid along the guide rods 152 until the desired line for the impression appears through the opening 2H3 in the ight leat'. The index fingers are then moved along the dial to a position opposite the first character to be impressed, which is usually a line of stars. This shifts the type cylinder to bring the corresponding type form opposite the platen. Since this character is prhvided in both columns of the type cylinder it is immaterial whether the handle 1 6 is shifted laterally to the right or to the left. The rotation of the crank 122 is then started and the presser foot is immediately ieleased automatically to guide the paper, before the type form moves into contact with it. The continued rotation of the crank then revolves the type ylinder until the selected type form rolls over the platen and impresses the paper. If the amount desired to be written is, say $325.75. the index fingers are then shifted along the dial until in line with the number 3 thereon in the lefthand column, when the handle is shifted toward the right to bring the lefthand index finger into register with the number 3. As before, the type cylinder is thereby shifted longitudinally to bring the selected type form into coo iera-tive position r latively to the platen, and the lateral shifting of the handle shifts cam 63 in position to actuate the follower. As the crank is then rotated the cylinder revolves and the platen moves toward the latter as the fir t column comes over it and produces an impression of the character Three. In a similar manner the proper index finger is brought nto register successively with the word "Hundreiw, the number 20, the number 5, the word Dollars. the number 70, the number 5 and finally the word Cents each adjustment of the handle 106 being followed by a revolution of the crank 12:2. in earl case the shifting of the handle Hit; up and down the dial brings the selected type form into cooperative positioi'i relatively to the platen and the lateral shifting of the handlepositions the proper cam under the follower for moving the platen into contact with the selected type form as its column passes the printing point. At the end of each impression the platen drops back into inactive position. In this manner the line of characters is printed and when completed the. presser foot is raised by means of the linger piece 158, and the check i withdrawn at the lei'thand side of the machine.

While the present embodiment of the invcntion has but two coiumns of type forms on the printing cylinder. it is obvious that, by a continued application of the same principle, three. four or more columns of type terms on the -=lillu cylinder may tic employed, a platen actuating cam being provided for each column in the manner herein shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. in a printing apparatus, the combination of a rotary type carrier provided with a plurality of type forms; a rotary platen, said type forms and platen being movable toward and from each other and being each rotatable in engagement with the other to impress and feed the work; selecting mechanism for effecting a relativeselective movement of the type forms and platen; operating means for rotating the type carrier; and means actuated by said operating means for eli'ecting said movement of the type forms and platen toward and .from each other, said latter means being variably con trolled by said selecting mechanism.

2. In a printing apparatus, the combination of a rotary type carrier provided with a plurality of separate type forms; a platen rotatable in engagement with said type forms, said carrier and platen having a relative printing movement toward and from each other during the rotation of said carrier; selective means for effecting a relative movement between said carrier and platen to select one of said type forms for coaction with the platen; and means for rotating said carricr and bringing the selected type form and platen into rotating engagement with each other to print and feed the work, comprising a. device set through the instrumentality of the selective means to vary the time of said relative printing movement of the carrier and platen in accordance with the type form selected.

3. In a check writer, the combination with a platen, of a rotary type cylinder having thereon a plurality of type forms arranged in a plurality of columns placed side by side, means for shifting the cylinder selectively in either direction parallel with said columns to bring the desired type form and platen into cooperative relationship and for controlling the time of operation of the platen, and means for rotating the cylinder and actuating the platen into rolling contactwith the selected type form.

4. In a check writer, the combination with a. rotary type cylinder having a plurality of type formsarranged in a plurality of columns placed side by side on the cylinder, of a. platen common to said type forms, selective means for effecting a cooperative relation between said platen and the type forms of each column, and means for actuating the platen into rolling contact with any selected type form as the corresponding column passes the printing position.

In a check writer, the combination with a plurality of type forms arranged in two "a type carrier. having a plurality of type to bring the platen and any desired type form of the selected row into rolling contact to print and feed the work.

6. In a check writer, the combination with forms thereon arranged in two columns,

side by side, the type units of eachcolumn being arranged in transverse alinement with respect to corresponding units of the other column, of a platen adapted for alinement with but one unit of either column at a time and adapted to cotjperate with the carrier by a rolling printing contact in a direction transverse to the rows 'of. forms, the carrier and platen being shiftable 'rela 'tively to establish such alinement, and a selecting device' embodying an operating member having one movement to aline the platen with two type units in the respective columns and another movement to control the printing contact of the platen with one or another of such two type units.

7. In a check writer, the combination with arotary shaft, a type cylinder'fixed to ro-' tate therewith but slidable longitudinally thereof and having a plurality of type forms arranged in a plurality of columns placed side by side on said cylinder, and means for rotating said shaft, of a rotary platen, and selectively variable means actuated by the rotation of said shaft for moving the' platen i into contact with a type form in a selected one of said'columns during the revolution of the type cylinder.

therewith and having a plurality of type forms thereon, arranged'ln a plurality of 4 columns placed side by side on said cylinder and means to rotate the latter, of a rock shaft a rotary platen carriedeccentrically thereby, and 'mears connecting said rotary shaft and rock shaft to. rock the latter, selectively, at a predetermined point in the rotation of said rotary shaft to'move the platen into contact with a selected type form injan column of the type cylinder.

9. n a check writer, the combination with.

a rotary shaft, a type cylinder fixed to rotate therewith but. slidable longitudinally thereon and having a plurality of type forms placed side by side on said cy thereon arranged-in a pluralit of columns l inder, a cam sleeve having aplurality of cams and fixed to rotate with said shaft, but slidable longi tudinally thereof, and means to rotate said shaft, of a rock shaft, a platen carried eccentrically thereby, an arm fixed to said rock shaft and carrying a follower adapted to contact with the cams on the cam sleeve, and means to shift the latter to bring any cam, selectively, into cooperation with the follower to actuate the rock shaftand' move the platen into contact with a selected type form in any column'on the t 'pe cylinder. 10. In a check writer, t a combination with a type cylinder provided with a pluralityof type forms, of a platen common to said type forms, selective means for shifta with a type cylinder provided with a plurality of type forms, of a platen common to said forms, selective means for shifting the cylinder and. platen relatively to each other, means for effecting a pltintingmovement of the cylinder, and mechanism for controlling the operation of the platen comprlsing a shiftable member having a neutral position for maintaining the platen inoperatire, and a plurality of active positions for varying the time of operation of the platen during the printing movement of the cyl in der.

12. In a check writer, the combination with relatively fixed platen, of a rotary and longitudinally slidahle cylinder having a plurality of type forms arranged thereon in lateral and longitudinal rows. means for rotating the cylinder, adjustable platen actuating means, and a single operating member. for sliding the cylinder to bring the type forms ofany lateral row into 00 operative relationship with the platen, and

for setting the adjustable meaps for actuating the platen into contact, selectively, with a. form oi said lateral row lying in any.

longitudinal row, for producing an impression of any selected type form.

13. In a check writer, the combination with a platen, of a shaft, a rotary type cylinderslidable longitudinally thereof and havinga plurality of type forms arranged in columns extending side by side on said the same relatively to the platen, and to the timing means to actuate the latter. to etl'eet the contfitft of the platen with the selected type form as the iatter passes the printing point.

14. In a Cheek writer. the rombination with a platen. of a rotary shaft. a type rylinder mounted thereon and having a plurality of type forms spared longitudinally of the cylinder. the said rylinder being lixed to ro tate with the said shaft but slidable longi tudinally thereof to bring any type form. selectively. into cooperative position relativeiy to the platen. a shifting member for sliding the cylinder, and roarting means on said shaft and shifting member to automatirally position and loekthe selected type form relatively to the platen as the said type form and platen move into rontaet.

15. In a cheek writer. the rombination with a platen. of a rotary shaft. a type \llll der mounted thereon and having a plurality of type forms spared longitudinally of the cylinder. the said rylinder being fixed to rotate with the shaft but slidable longitudinally thereof to bring any type form. selectively. into cooperative position relatively to the platen. a yoke held against rotation but slidable on the said shaft to shift the eyl inder. a plate fixed on said yoke and bearing upon said shaft through a portion of its rirrinnferenre. and beveled shoulders on said shaft extending through a portion of its circumference in axial alinement and spared axially to rorrespond with the sparing of the type fol-ins. said shoulders being adapted to em raee the said plate for a part of the rotation of said shaft to center and llnli a selected type form in rooperative relation with the platen.

16. In a rherk writer. the combination with a rotary type rarrier having thereon a plurality of type forms arranged in a plurality of rirromfereutially extending rows. and a platen. said carrier and platen being relatively movable to bring the latter and said rirrumferentially extending rows selectively into roiiperative relation. and means to rotate said earrier. of a plurality of timing means for effecting printing eontart between the platen and any type form of the selerted rireinnferentially extending row du ing the rotation of said carrier. at sell-Ming device for bringing into operation any one of said timing means. and a dial adapted to register the movements of said solorting devire.

IT. in a rherlc writer. the combination with a type selerting device embodying an o rrating member having two movements, one to selei't one of a plurality of maps of types. and the other to seleet a sing e type unit of the selected group. of a dial having rhararters thereon corresponding to the types arranged in rows, and an iiniex eon net-ted to said operating member to move longitudinally of said rows of rharaeters on the dial with the first mentioned movement of said member to indiratr the group of types selected thereby.

18. In a cheek writer. the rombination with a type selerting devire embodying an operating member having two movements. one to seleet one of a plurality of groups of types and the other to selert a type unit of that group. of a dial having two sets of rharaeters arranged in rows. and an index connected to the said operating member to move longitudinally of the rows of charaeters on the dial with the hint mentioned movement of the member and laterally into cooperation with a character in one or the .other of the rows with the last mentioned movement of the member.

19. In a 'rheck writer. the rombination with a plurality of type forms arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows and a platen adapted for individual eontaet with the type forms. said platen and type forms having a relative shifting movement in the direction of the longitudinal rows to select one of said transverse rows for cooperation with the platen. and having also a relative printing movement to seleet one of the type forms of said transverse row and bring it into printing eontart with the platen; of a dial having rharaeters thereon vol-responding in arrangement to the type forms, and a type seleeting devire tUlI1[)ll lllI an operating member provided with an index and having a movement to bring said index into registry with a transverse row of the char actors and to eflert the lirst mentioned seleelion. and having also a movement to bring said index into registrywith a el1ararter of said transverse row and etl'eet the second mentioned selertion.

320. In a eherh writer. the (-ombination with a easing. a dial thereon. an index finger movable over the dial. a platen. a shaft, a rotary type rylinder slidable longitudinally ol the shaft and having a plurality of type forms arranged in rohunns extending side by side axially of said rylinder, means for srlertively timing lhe routart between the platen and rylinder during each rotation of the latter and a single operating member eonnerted to the cylinder to slide the latter relatively to the platen and to the timing means to set the latter. and to the index linger to move the latter over the dial. for etl'eeting and indicating the contart oi the platen with the selected type form.

21. In a wheel: writer. the rombination with a platen. of an axialiy shiftable type cylinder having a plurality of type forms arranged in axial and rirrnzuferential rows, a shifting member engaging an id r-ylinder to Shift the latter. means for select. rely timing the actuation of the platen, an auxiliary rock shaft. aetuating: eonneetions from said rock shaft to said timing means, and a single pivo ed opt-mung member eonneeted to said shit in; member to shift said eylinder and to said roek shaft to adjust the timing n1ean l'or etlectiug :1 selective contact between any type form and the platen.

22. In :1 check writer. the combination with a platen of a shaft, a rotary type cylinder having; a plurality of type t'orms arranged in a plurality of columns extending side by side axially ot' the cylinder. said cylinder havin; a Shifting movement; longitudinally of the shaft to bring any type form and the platen into cooperative rehn tionship. ineanx on said shaft tor selectively timing the actuation of the platen. an auxiliary rock shaft having connection with said timing means for adjusting the latter, and an operating member eonneeted with sttltl eylinder to shift the latter and with said roek shalt to adjust the tin'nn; means, {or hriug ing the type forum. selectively. into printing contact ilh the platen.

23. In a cheek writer, the romlnnatlon ot a type carrier provided \Vltll a plurality of type, forms. a platen eommon to said type forms. selecting merhanism for effecting a shifting: movement of the carrier to lll'llljl any Helerted type Form and the platen into cooperative relation. an inkinp device eomprising' inking surfaces for the type i'ormu movable with the carrier during the hit'ting movement thereof to maintain a fixed inkiin relationship between eertain of the type tornix and corresponding inking surfaces. actuating means for rotating the type carrier. and means aetnated thereby for moving! the selected type form and platen relatively into printin; eontact, one of said means being varial'ily eontrolled by said selecting mechanism.

21. In a check writer. the combination with a rotary type cvlinder, of a roek shaft, a sleeve rotatahty mounted thereon and having; an arm, a platen rotatably mounted on said arm and adapted for printing contact with the cylinder, an arm fixed to said rock haft, and a resilient eonneetion between the arm on the sleeve and the arm on the shaft \vherehy movement of sititl rock shaft moves the platen with yielding pressure into contact with said cylinder.

25. In a maehine of the rlaee described, the combination with a type carrier having a plurality of groups of type forms thereon, of a platen common to the type forms and constructed to cooperate singly with said forms, a manipulative device operable to determine both the group and the type form in said group to he printed from and means for effecting printini engagement of the platen and seleeted type form.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with an operating member having an invariable extent of movement at eaeh operation, of a plurality of groups of type forms, a manipulative device and means controlled thereby 'for determining both the group and the form in the group to be printed from, a platen actuated by the operating member and means controlled by the aforesaid manipulative device for effecting actuation of the platen at different points in the movement of the operating member.

LIBA N'US M. TODD. CHARLES G. TIEFEL. 

